If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Best way to double lift?

Hey guys I'm new to magic and with that being said I've seen numerous ways to get a double lift. I'm curious though what is the best way magicians have seen to do a double lift. I'm guessing there are even times where you may use different lifts depending on the effect you are trying to achieve. Thanks for any help and tips!

Take a deck, turn a card over. Now find a double turnover that looks like your single turnover.

The double lift used really depends on the effect. Some effects have a built in mechanism to get a break. Some double lifts would seem odd in some effects. For other effects, it really doesn't matter.

I have a double lift where I do a strike double from the front edge of the deck and do the turnover by rotating my wrist. I also like the traditional strke double (from the right edge of the deck - check out Greg Wilson's Double Take) and the push off double lift (I learned from Wayne Houchin on Art of Magic). If I can, I use a push off to get a break ahead of time and then do the lift (I think that was from Justin Miller on Army of 52).

~ David
Perception of reality is a selection of reality which results in a distortion of reality.

Bgonyea - I think I know how you feel.
I think it's pretty much whatever double lift works best for you.
I've been back into magic for a few months now. I had not been able to do a decent double lift when I had played with magic a few years ago - might have been one of the reasons I gave it up.
Finally, I am starting to see some real improvement with it.
For me, I think the real problem was getting the break (with the standard double lift). I still seem to get either 1 card or 3 cards in the break and not 2 when I try a standard double lift unless I make a very obvious check as I do it.
Right now, I start with a push off (for me, it looks natural and I can visually check to see I've got two cards) to get the break but I've modified what Brad teaches to match closer to how I would naturally flip the card. It seems to work pretty well even when I'm being watched closely.
So - I'd suggest trying several and focus on the one that works best for you till you are confident. Then add others as a backup.

For myself I've found the pinky count to be quick, efficient, and invisible as far as getting the break. It can be frustrating when first practicing, but extremely useful once you get the knack. For the turnover, I push off the double (which is easy to do with a break) then clip it between my index and middle fingers then use my thumb to swing it face up. It's tricky at first to get the cards to stay together but once you have it down it's virtually undetectable.

Pick up a copy of Card College Volume 1 for help on the double lift. There's some good advice in there including how to properly hold the deck which can make a world of difference when you are trying to learn new moves.

A good double lift will last you a lifetime. Remember that it's probably one of the most used moves so make sure you give it the attention it deserves.

Have more magic questions? Keep up with me on Twitter too! [url]http://twitter.com/lukedancy[/url]

At Ellusionist, we have one goal: to give you the power to perform magic beyond belief. We want to make you the life of any party. We want to make you into a performer. Composed of 12 individuals, we barely sleep, and we will do anything necessary to bring you the best magic, the best talent, the best training and playing cards possible.

We manufacture many of our own magic supplies, tricks, effects, and custom playing cards. We strive to create the very best magical products the world has ever seen. We work with the United States Playing Card co and have produced 14 lines of playing card decks that are repeatedly acclaimed by top industry pros and magic enthusiasts all over the world.